Buffalo Bills News - December 15, 2003

After further review [4:43 AM]Nashville Tennessean reports:
'White is the referee who was fined earlier this season for not handling the clock correctly in a Ravens-Seahawks game.'

Volek wins battle of Bills [4:42 AM]Nashville City Paper reports:
'The Titans appeared headed down another slippery slope, when the defense, which had gone eight quarters and counting without a turnover, came through. Keith Bulluck sacked Bills QB Drew Bledsoe, stripping and recovering the ball at the Buffalo 24. From there, Volek directed the Titans to a score on a 14-yard pass to Erron Kinney, and with Robert Holcombe’s two-point conversion run, cut the Bills lead to 17-14.'

Multi-purpose Mason returns in Titans’ win [4:41 AM]Nashville City Paper reports:
'“I had fun out there actually,” Mason said of his stint as a returner. “The first play, I was kind of anxious, because I hadn’t been out there for a whole year, and I was anxious to get my hands on the ball.”'

Pained McNair defers to Volek [4:41 AM]Nashville City Paper reports:
'“I felt like this was the best thing to do,” McNair said. “You’ve got a healthy No. 2 and a lame No. 1. Who gives you the best chance to win [Sunday]? I felt like at this point in time, it was Billy.”'

Titans' backup steps up [4:40 AM]Clarksville Leaf Chronicle reports:
'"There's a lot of fight in our locker room, and you are always disappointed when you don't make it," said Bills coach Gregg Williams, referring to his team's elimination from the playoffs.'

Mason does it all against Bills [4:39 AM]Clarksville Leaf Chronicle reports:
'Mason completed the game with 302 all-purpose yards in catching nine passes for 137 yards, returning five kickoffs for 106 yards and five punts for 59 yards -- with no fumbles.'

Titans hold off Bills' rally, earn tough 28-26 victory [4:38 AM]Knoxville News Sentinel reports:
'"It was good," Shaw said. "The only time the ball came out was when I tried to raise my hand to show that I had it. The whole time I was sliding, I had the ball. How can (the official) call it incomplete when I lost it when I am showing him I had it?"'

Volek looks McNair-like in win [4:37 AM]USA Today reports:
'Tennessee's 28 points were the most scored in the last six games against Buffalo, which had the NFL's No. 2-rated defense going in.'

Volek shines in McNair's absence [4:37 AM]TitansOnline.com reports:
'The four-year pro completed 26 passes for 295 yards and two touchdowns Sunday. He threw no interceptions in 41 attempts. He also rushed for a touchdown from the 2-yard line – the first of his career.'

Happy returns for productive Mason [4:36 AM]TitansOnline.com reports:
'Mason returned five punts in the game for an average of 11.8 yards. He also returned five kickoffs for a total of 106 yards.'

Defense answers the call in victory [4:35 AM]TitansOnline.com reports:
'Bulluck’s sack, forced fumble, and fumble recovery against Drew Bledsoe with 6:16 remaining in the third quarter gave the Titans the spark they desperately needed in their 28-26 victory over Buffalo on Sunday.'

Titans/Bills post-game quotes [4:34 AM]TitansOnline.com reports:
'What can you say about Billy’s (Volek) effort? That is a very tough defense to throw against. Billy hung in there and took a lot of hits. He made big plays. When you are not 100 percent, everybody has to step up, and that is what we got. Billy got a lot of help today and proved he is worthy of that backup spot and he can play in the league.'

Titans Game Notes [4:33 AM]TitansOnline.com reports:
'The Titans improved to 4-1 in their last five games vs. Buffalo, dating back to their 28-17 win in 1995.'

December 14, 2003

Week 15: Gregg Williams Quotes [8:28 PM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
'"We didn't make enough plays in the second half to finish the game. They were able to make a couple significant plays. I thought Derek Mason made a couple big time plays. Those were difference making plays in the second half. Our guys fought to the bitter end. Coming down there we had to stop them at the two minute drill with only one time out left. We got off the field and Drew (Bledsoe) took us down the field and Bobby Shaw made some nice plays. We weren't able to come up with that tie play at the end."'

Week 15: Eric Moulds Quotes [8:28 PM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
'"It's frustrating because I've been here for eight years. I'm looking for the answers and I can't seem to find any so we'll come up with some."'

Week 15: Bobby Shaw Quotes [8:27 PM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
'"I had it. It came out as I was showing them. The whole time I had the ball all the way on the ground. He called it incomplete. I was trying to show him that I had it because I was low. As far as I'm concerned it's a very bad call. How he can say I had possession the whole time I'm sliding then I roll over I'm already down. How long do I have to have it? I was trying to show him the ball before he ruled it incomplete. Bad call on my thoughts."'

Week 15: Antoine Winfield Quotes [8:26 PM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
'"We lost. We have two games left. We'll just go out there work as hard as we can and try to win those."'

Week 15: Mark Campbell Quotes [8:25 PM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
'Last Touchdown Play: "They put me one-on-one with the safety. In weeks past we've seen them take the safety and play inside techniques so we felt like the corner out would be there. They played it today. The safety was a little outside. Fortunately I was able to get behind him right at the corner and Drew (Bledsoe) made a perfect pass."'

Mason And Volek End Buffalo's Playoff Dream [8:24 PM]WGR-AM reports:
'The Bills are now 6-and-8 and have two more meaningless games. Next week at home against Miami and a week from Satruday in New England. It's two more weeks of wondering what could've been and what is in store for the future.'

Tennessee 28, Buffalo 26 [6:38 PM]AP reports:
'Buffalo had one last chance to force overtime when Drew Bledsoe drove the Bills 81 yards in nine plays before finding Mark Campbell on a 6-yard TD toss with 24 seconds left. But Bobby Shaw couldn't control a low pass in the right corner on the 2-point conversion try, and Erron Kinney recovered the Bills' onside kick to clinch the victory.'

Communication is Key: Bills Play at Coliseum [12:11 PM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
'"We have to score regardless of if they score first or we score first," fullback Sam Gash said. "Offensively we have to dictate the tempo of the game. We have to take it to them as oppose to waiting for them to score first and then reacting. We have a lot of confidence in our defense that they can hold them down."'

Plot thickens for Williams' return to Nashville [9:10 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'The Bills could be thinking what might have been this year because of a four-game midseason losing streak. They seemed to have righted themselves, but did they do it too late?'

Gilbride willing to take the heat [9:09 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'"I know why we've struggled. And I'd rather be the recipient and keep at least a little of the pressure off those guys. Then they can look and say, "Here's a guy who through example has shown us how to deal with the tough times. We're going to follow his footsteps and keep battling through it.'"'

Even 9-7 record shouldn't be enough to keep Williams [9:08 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'The Bills need a proven coach who can hold his own against the best minds in the game. Most of all, they need a guy who can stand up to Bill Belichick, the coaching standard in the AFC. Williams beat the Pats in the opener this season, but there's been a six-game swing in the standings in New England's favor since then. If anything, the gap has gotten larger.'

Home Run Flashback [9:07 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'"I don't want to talk about it, really," said Brown, the pain of the game's outcome still too real. "It hurts. It still hurts to this day. I know a lot of guys may have gotten over it, but I haven't. It bothers me. It's a hard one, I'm not going to lie. I really don't want to talk about it."'

Bills look to return miracle [5:17 AM]Rochester D&C reports:
'“Gregg, when he was here, he was one of the first to stand up — and I mean he’d give his house up — over the fact that it was a lateral and the day he left (for Buffalo), all of sudden it’s a forward pass,” said Fisher.'

Q&A: Ross Tucker [5:16 AM]Rochester D&C reports:
'How good is Travis Henry?
“He’s unbelievable. My rookie year with the Redskins, I played a little bit with Stephen Davis, who led the NFC in rushing, and last year I started seven games with Emmitt Smith. I tell you what, Travis is phenomenal. He makes us look good."'